About the process
How The Mannamong Comes To Life
Every story begins with a feeling.
For The Mannamong, that feeling was a quiet question carried since childhood: What if unseen spirits were still guiding the world, even when people stopped believing? From that single spark grew a fantasy graphic‑novel series created with care, intention, and a deep respect for young readers.
This page offers a behind‑the‑scenes look at how The Mannamong is made—from the first idea to the finished book—so readers, parents, educators, and fellow creators can understand not just what the story is, but why it exists.
It Starts With Emotion, Not a Lesson
Stories for kids don’t need lectures. They need honesty.
When creating The Mannamong, the focus was never on teaching a moral. Instead, each scene is written from the inside out—asking how the world feels through the eyes of the main character, Kali Teal. Fear, curiosity, confusion, hope, and courage guide every decision.
Rather than telling readers what to think, the story invites them to experience uncertainty and growth alongside the characters. That emotional truth is what allows deeper themes—empathy, balance, forgiveness—to emerge naturally.
Characters Come First
Before worlds or lore, there are characters.
Kids connect to faces, expressions, and emotions long before they connect to plot. That’s why character design plays such a central role in The Mannamong.
Kali Teal is an ordinary girl overwhelmed by something she doesn’t yet understand. Tontorus, the rogue mannamong bound to her, looks dangerous long before he explains himself. Their tension, mistrust, and slow‑growing bond form the heart of the series.
Every character is designed with intention—clear silhouettes, expressive body language, and visual cues that reflect personality and inner conflict. If a character feels real, readers will follow them anywhere.
A World That Hides in Plain Sight
The world of The Mannamong exists just beneath the surface of everyday life.
Modern settings blend with a hidden spiritual realm revealed through dreams, storms, and subtle changes in nature. Magic isn’t loud or constant—it appears when the story needs it, and it follows rules.
One of those rules centers on Xemn, a spiritual energy tied to Mother Nature that allows mannamong to cross into the human world. Its limits are just as important as its power, grounding the fantasy and keeping the stakes real.
Worldbuilding here isn’t about endless explanation. It’s about consistency, restraint, and discovery—letting readers uncover the truth one piece at a time.
From Script to Page
Each volume of The Mannamong is written much like a film.
Scenes are broken into pages, pages into panels. Dialogue stays lean so the artwork can carry emotion and movement. Every page is designed to pull the reader forward, ending with a moment that invites the next turn.
Before final illustrations begin, loose thumbnail sketches map pacing, composition, and flow. These early layouts solve visual storytelling problems long before details are added, ensuring clarity for young readers.
Illustration, Color, and Lettering
Final pages begin with digital pencils and clean linework, prioritizing readability and expression. Color is then used to shape mood—warm tones for comfort, cooler palettes for mystery, and bursts of light for moments of magic.
Lettering is treated as part of the art, not an afterthought. Clear, readable text ensures that nothing pulls attention away from the story itself.
Every visual choice serves the same goal: connection.
Shaping the Story Through Revision
Before publication, pages are reviewed, adjusted, and refined. Dialogue is simplified. Panel pacing is tightened. Emotional beats are strengthened. Feedback from parents, educators, and young readers helps ensure the story remains accessible without losing depth.
The guiding question isn’t “Is this perfect?”
It’s “Does this feel true?”
Why This Process Matters
Kids don’t just read stories—they carry them.
A graphic novel made with sincerity becomes more than entertainment. It becomes a place of comfort, curiosity, and quiet hope. The Mannamong is built on the belief that even when the world feels fractured, there is kindness in the unseen, courage in understanding, and strength in empathy.
That belief guides every page.
Explore the World of The Mannamong
If you’d like to dive deeper—through the books, artwork, or behind‑the‑scenes updates—you’re invited to explore the full world of The Mannamong.
Hope is real. And stories still matter.
The Story Is Still Unfolding
Kali’s journey isn’t finished.
If you’d like to be the first to know when Volume 3 arrives—and receive behind-the-scenes updates along the way—join the early reader list.